By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
National Women leader of the All Progressives Congress, Dr. Mary Alile has said that she will pursue the inclusion of more women in the present dispensation, bowing to work with the first lady, Oluremi Tinubu to achieve this.
Alile, who stated this on Thursday at a reception held in her honour in Benin, said that women have always played a prominent role in mobilizing party members and electorate for elections.
She said the first lady, Oluremi Tinubu is seriously working to advance the course of women in this dispensation, urging the party to better mobilize the women who play a big role in making the party the one to vote for at every election.
He said, “The time has come for women to have more representation in government. Women within an outside the party should not be left out. They are the ones on whose shoulder I have stood to make me taller and outstanding. They have played a major role in mobilizing people for election. But we can do better, with proper understanding of the means and ways to achieving better results.
“Better results come with better motivation. Therefore, I intend to see that women are better motivated for the tasks expected of them. They need to be dealt with as partners with men and not inferiors. To whom more is given; more
is expected. Conversely, to whom more is expected; more should be given. This is my mantra in relation to motivating women for more effectiveness. The game must change for women, and I want to be the game changer.
“Her Excellency, the mother of the nation, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, is seriously working to advance the cause of women in this dispensation. I want to be collaboratively with the First Lady to promote the interest of Nigerian women.
“I intend to operate an open-door policy whereby the women of our party, and of course, the gender sensitive men, can have access and audience, for the sharing of ideas that could be of help to all of us. Anyone with useful information, advice, or proposition, will be welcome.
She added, “Going forward, it will be necessary to eliminate rancour and division within our rank. Therefore, where conflicts exist, we shall set forth immediately to resolve them. One of my cardinal objectives is to foster unity among us.
“Mechanisms for conflict resolution shall be deployed to stop divisions. Little cracks have always had consequences. We shall see to it that cracks are minimized, if not totally eradicated.
I intend, on behalf of the women to engage the party, pursuant to increasing access to rewards for women at all levels – from the ward to the national level.
“Meanwhile, I like President Bola Tinubu for his recognition of women and his penchant for increasing the number of women participating in his government,” She added.